Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Restroom Gripe Retraction

Ok... so a few weeks ago I posted a rather lengthy diatribe describing all of my various hang ups when it comes to using public toilets.

Well - I've changed my mind. Never again will I be whining about people talking in the bathroom, using the handicapped stall, or leaving a stray pube on the toilet seat. No sir...eee...bobbie.

I am thankful for:

A toilet seat

A private stall with a lock

Toilet paper that is free (and usually there)

Flushing water where everything just goes swooosh and disappears

Not having to be concerned about peeing on my ankles

Not having to squat over a hole

Not having to use a bucket of water to swish away the evidence

Automatic flushers - just the fact that we have them - even if sometimes my butt gets splashed.

Toilet seat covers - just the thought of having these in Vietnam was beyond novel

Ya'll that want to talk in the bathroom - be my guest! Talk all damn day, heck - hold meetings and setup a powerpoint presentation in there with a few overseas conference calls on speakerphone. Be THANKFUL for what you have - you might find yourself presented with this...

I think the ridges along the sides were for traction but there was nothing to hold onto to keep from tipping over in the squat and peeing all over yourself.

That is all.

P.S - I guess thats not all. For the record I did not use the above style amenities. I decided to hold it till I got back to the hotel. Why yes, I am a snob - how did you know? I've got needs. And they include flush toilets.

Comments

Hey don't get me started on those holes. When I was in Singapore the last time, I kept getting the stalls with those horrible holes in the floor. I'd hang on for dear life, and barely do what needed to be done. Then, my MIL tells me that the stalls I had been using all that time were for the Muslims (who prefer the holes in the ground) and that I should have opted for the stalls to the right instead! I guess the stalls to the right have toilets!

Fun, aren't they? I soon discovered the difference between the 1 Bhat and the 2 Bhat toilets in Thailand. And yeah, there is nowhere to put your hands, unless you get lucky and have a stall. Then, no sink or soap. Oh yeah, that sanitizer stuff was my best friend, and we carried tissue packs everywhere....

hahaha, this summer I was in Malaysia....we landed in KL, and the first stop was the bathroom...I walked into the stall and GASPED and said something like "oh lordy..i can't!"...squatting toilets?! I had totally forgotten..big culture shock :D My sis took a picture of me right after with a pouty, shocked look on my face ;)